The arrest of veteran Algerian journalist Saad Bouakba has reignited debate over shrinking space for free expression in Algeria. Detained after remarks on alleged historical financial misconduct linked to the FLN, Bouakba now faces charges of defamation and insulting state symbols. His case highlights the growing criminalization of dissent, the fragility of historical debate, and the mounting risks faced by journalists, artists, and commentators who challenge official narratives.
A UK billboard campaign accusing Instagram of failing to protect users from scams was pulled just before launch, not by regulators but by media buyers wary of upsetting Meta, a major client. Created with scam victims and advocates, #IgnoredByInsta highlights the human cost of account hijacks and absent support. The incident exposes how commercial dependency in the advertising ecosystem can quietly suppress public criticism of powerful platforms.
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As war escalated in Gaza after October 2023, Meta’s platforms became crucial spaces for documentation and solidarity. Yet investigations and leaks suggest a vast system of digital censorship targeting Palestinian and pro-Palestinian content, allegedly in close coordination with Israeli authorities. While platforms deny political bias, artists and activists across the Arab world are now developing creative strategies to evade algorithmic suppression and preserve their narratives.
Traditional musician Abbas Peymani was arrested by Iran’s IRGC Intelligence in Shahriar after criticizing political and economic conditions on social media. Taken to an undisclosed location with no public charges, his fate remains unknown, raising fears of enforced disappearance. Rights monitors say the case reflects a wider crackdown on artists, where peaceful expression is treated as a security threat and cultural voices are silenced.
A young singer in Tangier faced legal consequences after his Eid al-Fitr performance went viral, drawing criticism for content viewed as inappropriate for minors. The Tangier Court of First Instance imposed a suspended prison sentence and a fine. The case demonstrates how social media and local public-morals laws intersect with neighborhood celebrations in Morocco.
In 2025, Tunisian artists, cultural organizations, and independent media face mounting pressure from administrative suspensions, audits, and legal scrutiny. Dream City 2025 continued its program, but the broader arts ecosystem experiences self-censorship, interrupted projects, and heightened risk. Independent media collective Nawaat illustrates the intersection of artistic, journalistic, and civic freedoms under threat in Tunisia today.
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Yekaterina Barabash, a renowned Russian film critic and journalist, became a symbol of defiance after opposing Russia’s “war-fakes” law. Arrested in 2025 for anti-war commentary, she was placed under house arrest before escaping Moscow with help from Reporters Without Borders. Now in France, Barabash continues to speak out for artistic freedom and against censorship in Putin’s Russia.
The arrest of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli has crystallised Georgia’s struggle over independent expression. Detained on 12 January 2025 during protests in Batumi after she slapped the local police chief, Amaglobeli was later convicted and sentenced to two years in prison — a move rights groups say fits a broader assault on media freedom. As she received the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding her release, underscoring how cultural and journalistic voices have become frontline defenders in Georgia’s democratic crisis.
The Belgrade International Theatre Festival (BITEF), long considered Serbia’s gateway to global avant-garde performance, is facing unprecedented turmoil. The rejection of Swiss director Milo Rau’s project The Pelicot Trial triggered resignations, accusations of political pressure, and heated public debate. As institutions tighten control and artists speak out, BITEF 2025 has become a powerful symbol of Serbia’s struggle over artistic autonomy and cultural freedom..
The tragic death of Albert Ojwang, a digital activist and teacher, while in police custody has ignited nationwide protests in Kenya. Ojwang, known for his bold critiques of corruption and police abuse, died under suspicious circumstances after his arrest. A damning autopsy contradicted official accounts, sparking public outrage. His story has become a flashpoint in Kenya’s ongoing battle against police brutality and for freedom of expression.
At this year’s World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer, artistic freedom was conspicuously absent from the closing statement – a troubling omission from an event meant to champion all aspects of freedom of expression. We, as Mimeta, find this not only disappointing, but deeply concerning.
A new document from Jewish Artists UK, Courage and Care, is reshaping the debate on antisemitism and censorship in the arts. Backed by over 100 Jewish creatives, it challenges how institutions define antisemitism, particularly in relation to pro-Palestinian expression. The guidelines call for nuanced understanding, defending artistic freedom while condemning real antisemitism. Context, not censorship, they argue, should guide cultural policy.
Germany’s Bundestag passed a non-binding resolution in November 2024, urging that public funding for cultural and academic projects align with the IHRA definition of antisemitism. While not a law, the resolution is rapidly changing practices, impacting artistic freedom, and fueling debate over its effects, particularly in high-profile institutions like Documenta. Critics warn of self-censorship and legal uncertainty as Germany’s cultural sector adapts.
Just hours before opening, the satirical cartoon exhibition Licence to Offend was abruptly cancelled by TownSq gallery in Kingston, London. Featuring works by top UK political cartoonists like Morten Morland, the show depicted public figures including Trump, Starmer, and Musk. Citing potential offense and staff safety, the gallery pulled the exhibit. Morland criticized the move as a blow to free expression. Organizers seek a new venue.
On May 6, 2025, Azerbaijan became the first-ever global sponsor of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. While projecting a modern and creative image abroad, the country intensifies censorship and repression at home. Independent artists face arrests, exile, and intimidation, revealing a stark contrast between Azerbaijan’s cultural diplomacy and the lived reality of creative voices who dare to dissent.
Omoyele Sowore’s critique of Nigeria’s legal system highlights deep-rooted judicial complicity in political repression. His prolonged persecution, despite multiple court orders, exemplifies how compromised courts and prosecutors fuel civil unrest. The 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests revived calls for judicial reform, as state-sanctioned crackdowns and unjust detentions revealed systemic failures. Without legal accountability, Nigeria risks repeating cycles of unrest and brutal suppression.
When 97 books were pulled from school libraries in Beaufort County, SC, three high school students—Isabella Troy Brazoban, Elizabeth Foster, and Millie Bennett—refused to stay silent. Their bold response to censorship launched a youth-led movement that reversed bans, inspired a national documentary, and redefined what student activism looks like in the fight for intellectual freedom.
The arrest and extradition of Kuwaiti blogger Salman Al-Khalidi in January 2025 has ignited international debate over political persecution, human rights violations, and breaches of international law. Al-Khalidi, a vocal critic of authoritarian regimes, was extradited from Iraq to Kuwait despite his status as a political refugee. This controversial action raises serious concerns about the protection of free expression and the treatment of dissidents in the Gulf region, particularly with regards to violations of international legal protections for refugees.
The January 2025 arrest of journalist Ahmed Serag, following an interview with the wife of jailed cartoonist Ashraf Omar, has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates. Charged with terrorism-related offenses after highlighting human rights abuses, Serag’s case exemplifies Egypt’s escalating crackdown on dissenting voices and independent journalism under President al-Sisi’s regime
Jordanian publisher Omar Al Zayood’s arrest on March 17, 2025, under the controversial Cybercrime Law, has ignited alarm over the country’s growing clampdown on press freedom. Charged after a complaint by ex-PM Bisher al-Khasawneh, Al Zayood faces prison time and steep fines. His case underscores rising concerns over legal tools being used to silence dissent and restrict journalists in Jordan.
